My repast was interrupted by Barnstable, very much as it had been two mornings ago, to announce a caller.
“Who is it today?” I asked with annoyance. “I am becoming quite popular at this hour.”
Barnstable’s tones were even more freezing than when he’d announced Gibbons. “It is Mr. Spendlove, sir.”
“Dear God.” I briefly closed my eyes. “I am not certain I can stomach Mr. Spendlove so early in the morning.”
“He has insisted,” Barnstable said. “Forgive me, sir, but I could not turn him away.”
“Not your fault.” I munched through a piece of toast with more of the excellent marmalade from Lord Pembroke and set aside the newspaper. “Where have you put him?”
“The gold reception room.”
“Good.” The gold reception room was the least comfortable in the house. Unwanted guests were made to wait there so they might decide to leave instead of settling in. “I’ll go down.”
I rose and took up my walking stick, moving slowly to the dining room door. Not only did I ache from the fight with Arthur’s men, I saw no reason to rush to speak to Spendlove.
I found my visitor standing in the exact center of the reception room, studying a landscape painting of the Breckenridge estate in Hampshire. The artist had perfectly captured the idyllic setting of the imposing house amidst rolling fields that disappeared into mist-covered hills.
The picture was meant to remind the viewer in this windowless room how powerful was Viscount Breckenridge, even if he currently was an eight-year-old boy.
I planted myself in the doorway. “It is early for calls,” I stated. “I haven’t finished my breakfast.”
Spendlove skewered me with his accusing light-blue gaze. “Mr. Denis is at home, happily eating his.”
“Not my doing,” I answered. “Whatever you think of me, I do not have that sort of power.”
“Oh, I know exactly who to blame.” Spendlove’s coldness told me he’d learned how Mr. Haywood had brought about Denis’s extraction from Newgate. “The magistrates are happy to let criminals walk free if they are paid enough, or if their friends in high places threaten the right people. Meanwhile, innocent men are hanged because they’re too frightened to raise their head in the presence of judge or jury. A sure sign of guilt, they say.” His bitterness was acute.
Spendlove’s musings on such things surprisingly matched my own. The justice system was sometimes anything but just.
“In this case, I am very sure James Denis is the innocent man,” I said. “I am aware that he was released by those who owed him favors, but he never should have been banged up in the first place.”
I gave Spendlove what I imagined was a severe eye, but Spendlove wasn’t impressed.
“You had better hope he truly didn’t do this murder, Captain. You are going to help me learn exactly what happened one way or the other. If we prove Denis really did kill that man, I’ll have you as well, for assisting him to cover it up.” Spendlove motioned to the doorway in which I stood. “Shall we make a start?”
Chapter 20
The last thing I wished to do today was run about London with Spendlove dogging my steps the entire way. I’d wanted to begin rigorously searching for Lady’s daughter, but did not wish Spendlove to know anything about that, or about her.
I forced myself to think things through instead of rashly telling Spendlove to go to the devil. He was very good at pursuit, pinning down those he caught and coercing information from them. He might prove Denis’s innocence in spite of himself.
Also, Arthur’s men would keep their distance from me in Spendlove’s presence. Spendlove didn’t care about a man’s dangerous connections—he’d simply arrest them and let the magistrates sort it out.
“Very well,” I said.
Spendlove’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He’d expected me to argue.
"I am unworried by your threat,” I went on. “Because I know we’ll find Denis to be innocent.”
Spendlove scowled. “You’d better convince me, then.”
“I will do my best. This morning, I planned to retrace Pickett’s steps on his last day. You are welcome to come along.”
“I’m coming whether I’m welcome or not.” Spendlove gazed at me without blinking. “As pretty as this chamber is, I am ready to quit it. Lead on, Captain.”
I quelled my vexation and exited the room, Spendlove following.
